Has anyone used this website before? Basically owners advertise their property on this site for free, and then interested parties email them or telephone them.

I am interested in renting an apartment on this site in Monaco in May. After exchanging a few emails with the owner I have agreed to rent it, and the person has sent me an email asking for payment to be sent by bank transfer. I'm getting cold feet, at the end of the day all I've seen is a few pics on the website, and a few emails with the owner at a yahoo address.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Angela

There are a lot of those kind of websites online nowadays, it's basically the same as a newspaper with want ads. But unless someone has rented from the exact same person as you, and the same apt., there isn't really anyone can do to verify its legitimacy, and you haven't named which one it is. So, you either are comfortable doing this or aren't, I think that's all anyone can say. I wouldn't do it myself, but many many people on here will. IF you want to do this, you have no choice but to send them some money, no one is going to rent to you without receiving any more in advance.

There are a lot of those kind of websites online nowadays, it's basically the same as a newspaper with want ads. But unless someone has rented from the exact same person as you, and the same apt., there isn't really anyone can do to verify its legitimacy, and you haven't named which one it is. So, you either are comfortable doing this or aren't, I think that's all anyone can say. I wouldn't do it myself, but many many people on here will. IF you want to do this, you have no choice but to send them some money, no one is going to rent to you without receiving any money in advance.

Just an addition as to why I am uneasy. One email said the following:

'If interested i will need your full name and adress in order to complete the booking contract and payment invoice and send them to you.'

When I sent this info to them, the next email read:

'Hello Angela.
Thank you for providing me with your details.
Because you are booking within 12 weeks of the rental date the entire rental amount is required for reservation.
We accept western union money transfer or bank wire transfer.
Please tell me if you can wire the funds today thru western union,in order to finalize the booking today!
Thank you!'

Am I right to be uneasy?

Angela

I know this website as a private owner. The problem is we can't put our website address there, so maybe you could ask him if he's got one or if he's registred somewhere else like the tourist office for ex...
Be careful, it is getting to hard to trust anyone. Scams are on both side.
coco

Thank you for your comments.

Any other advice?

Thanks

Angela

ttt

Sorry, this is the link:

http://www.rent-holiday-homes.com/de...hp?object=8299